Blogging in the Midst of Controversy, by Adrian Warnock

Is my blog free from envy, or am I secretly wishing I was as popular as the person I am condemning?

Adrian Warnock is a medical doctor, blogger, and teaching pastor at Jubilee Church, London

Gary David Stratton suggested that double-checking ‘The Apostle Paul’s Blogging Checklist‘ (which he adopted from 1 Corinthians 13) before posting anything on the internet would go a long way toward fostering unity and civility in the Body of Christ and beyond.

I have adapted and expanded on his rules and recommend that everyone considers it before blogging about any controversial issue.

For not every blog post on either side of this debate has kept within these wise boundaries.

So, before you hit send, grade yourself on this list:

Is this blog post I am about to publish…

Demonstrating patience towards those who disagree with me?

Kind in its tone and content? Would my “enemies” agree?

Free from envy in it’s motivation? Rather than secretly wishing I was as popular as the person I am condemning?

Full of humility and not boasting? Rather than implying I have all the answers and the monopoly on the truth?

Wanting others to do well and highlighting good comments elsewhere rather than arrogantly seeking more hits for my blog?

Polite and not rude?

Not insisting on my own way? Have I acknowledged that there is a chance, however small, that I might be wrong about this?

Calm and not irritable?

Avoiding even the hint of sounding resentful?

Rejoicing with the truth, rather than taking joy from pointing out others error? Have I struck back at those who have been hurtful to me or brushed over and endured any perceived wrongs from them, have I thought the best of others?

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